Jury selection for 1987 murders will start early

Friday

Jan 3, 2014 at 5:14 PMJan 3, 2014 at 5:14 PM

By Jim.Hayden@hollandsentinel.com(616) 546-4274

Jury selection in the murder trial of a man accused of killing his sister and brother-in-law in 1987 will begin a week early.Choosing the jury for the trial of Ryan Wyngarden was set for March 11, but was moved to March 5 during a hearing today in Ottawa County Circuit Court.“We were concerned with the length of the trial and going into spring break,” said Judge Jon Hulsing, who will preside over the proceedings.If needed, jury selection will continue March 6 and 7.The trial itself will begin March 11 even if the jury selection finishes in one or two days, Hulsing said. Ten days have been set aside for the trial.Rick and Gail Brink were shot to death in 1987 in a home on Ransom Street in Park Township 18 months after their wedding.During a March preliminary examination — a court hearing to determine whether enough evidence exists to send a case to trial — prosecution witnesses said that Wyngarden’s motive was jealousy over the couple and that Wyngarden had admitted to having a sexual relationship with his sister when the two were teens.Wyngarden’s wife said her husband confessed to the killing and asked her to provide an alibi. Wyngarden denies any wrongdoing.He faces two open murder charges. Bond was denied and he remains in the Ottawa County Jail since being booked Jan. 21 for the killings.Earlier today, Wyngarden, 51, of Zeeland, talked with his attorneys in the courtroom as the prosecution and defense lawyers discussed for about 30 minutes with Hulsing the sharing of evidence including witness lists, photographs and audio and video recordings.Both sides should complete the sharing of material by Jan. 31, Hulsing said, and should work together on scheduling when several out-of-state witnesses will testify.— Follow Jim Hayden on Twitter@SentinelJim.